Anbernic RG35XX Plus vs Miyoo Mini Plus Introduction: Powerhouse or Refined One?
The itch for retro gaming seems to be forever strong, but wading into the budget handheld market can feel like navigating a minefield. While options under £100 seem plentiful, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Many devices, even those pushing £80-£100 make bold claims that the hardware simply never backs up. Nearly all other retro handhelds sub £100 suffer from poor build quality, or are built with buggy software.
After extensive research into the retro handheld market, two contenders stood out and where consistently praised for exceptional value and reliable performance. We just had to get our hands on them: the Anbernic RG35XX plus aka “the powerhouse” and the Miyoo Mini Plus aka “the refined one”. Forget the flashy unknowns promising 4K emulation, We’ve discovered they are rarely capable of delivering.
Anbernic’s power vs. Miyoo’s refinement, Same price, similar look but different philosophies. We’re pitting the only two budget retro handhelds truly worth your money in this head-to-head review.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Table of Contents
(As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
Tale of the Tape: Spec Sheet
| Specification | Anbernic RG35XX | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | H700 Quad-core ARM | ARM Cortex-A7 Dual-core |
| GPU | Dual-core G31 MP2 | Integrated (Basic) |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR4 | 128MB DDR3 |
| Screen | 3.5-inch IPS (640×480) | 3.5-inch IPS (640×480) |
| Software | Stock Linux + Custom (GarlicOS) | Stock Linux + Custom (OnionOS) |
| Connectivity | HDMI Out, Bluetooth, 5GHz WiFi | 5GHz WiFi Only |
| Battery | 3300mAh | 3000mAh |
| Build/Feel | Solid, dense, larger (186g) | Lightweight, smaller (162g) |
| Community Support | Strong | Exceptional |
Round 1: Performance & Power – Hardware Matters
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus packs a genuine punch with its H700 chip, dedicated GPU and 1GB RAM. This chip-set significantly outpaces the Miyoo’s reliable but older dual-core chip and tiny 128MB RAM.
The Miyoo Mini Plus sticks to its strengths (plays up to PS1 games perfectly), though its lack of GPU means demanding SNES filters can cause stutters. The Miyoo delivered exactly what it promises, reliably.
During testing, both flawlessly handled consoles up to PlayStation 1 – a baseline many sub-£60 devices struggle with despite their claims. The Anbernic reliably pushes into some Nintendo DS and Dreamcast titles. This capability exposes the inflated claims of cheaper – and even some pricier – retro handhelds that list compatibility but deliver slideshows instead of a playable game.
🏆Anbernic RG35XX Plus – Clear power advantage, delivering performance beyond PS1.
Round 2: Software & Usability – The Pick Up & Play Test
This is paramount and often ignored by mainstream reviews focusing solely on specs. The stock firmware on both is poor. You should install custom firmware – something often impossible on obscure, cheaper brands we’ve encountered.
Here, the Miyoo Mini Plus, thanks to its vibrant community, reigns supreme. OnionOS is simply phenomenal – fast, polished, intuitive and packed with clever features like a “Game Switcher.” It elevates the hardware, offering a user experience that rivals devices costing far more and shames the clunky software often found on competitor devices. Installation is generally straightforward and doesn’t take too long.
The Anbernic benefits from excellent community efforts like the GarlicOS, this unlocks its power but requires a bit more setup and feels less mature than the OnionOS. The existence of this support is a monumental advantage over unsupported devices.
🏆 Miyoo Mini Plus – OnionOS offers the best user experience on any budget handheld we’ve tried.
Round 3: Features & Connectivity – The Big Screen Test
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus comes equipped with a Mini HDMI port, bluetooth and a headphone jack, meaning you can enjoy retro games on the big screen. When connected to the TV, it paired with my Bluetooth controller with ease, allowing us to enjoy a surprisingly capable retro home console.
The Miyoo is purely portable; its only connectivity is 5GHz Wi-Fi, which mostly works well for core features like Retro Achievements and software updates.
🏆 Anbernic RG35XX Plus – HDMI and Bluetooth offer practical uses that go beyond a simple portable, providing console versatility.
Round 4: Build, Ergonomics & Cost – The In-Hand Feel
Both feel remarkably solid in hand, immediately differentiating them from the common creaky plastic found in cheaper retro handhelds. The Miyoo is the epitome of pocketable – its smaller, lighter and the buttons feels slightly more springy.
The Anbernic feels denser, more durable and it’s chunkier profile with stacked shoulder buttons provide superior comfort for small to medium size hands. Cost is identical, both can be found on Amazon for around £60 and both are great quality handhelds.
🏆Anbernic RG35XX Plus – Robustness and better equipped ergonomically for longer sessions.
TRUK Final Scorecard
| Category | Anbernic RG35XX Plus | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Power & Performance | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Software Experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Features/Connectivity | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| Ergonomics & Build | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Value | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Score | 4.4 / 5.0 | 3.8 / 5.0 |
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus proves that raw power is the ultimate feature. By combining the H700 chipset with HDMI output, it transcends the definition of a simple handheld and becomes a legitimate £60 hybrid console. While others rely on nostalgia, Anbernic relies on performance utility. It doesn’t just emulate the past; it future-proofs your purchase against the increasing demands of modern retro gaming.
The Miyoo Mini Plus remains a masterclass in community-driven software optimization; OnionOS is simply the best user interface in the genre. However, software cannot overcome physics. Its lack of a dedicated GPU and HDMI output leaves it functionally trapped in the 8-bit era. It is a beautiful artifact for purists, but for anyone seeking versatility, it simply lacks the horsepower to compete with Anbernic in 2026.
FAQs
Q: How comfortable is the RG35XX Plus for larger hands?
A: Honestly, I found it cramped for long sessions. My big hands started to feel stiff after 30-40 minutes. We strongly recommend the Anbernic RG35XX H (Horizontal). It has the exact same powerful H700 chip, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, but in a wider, more comfortable style body with analogue sticks.
Q: Seriously, I should ignore most other budget handhelds under £100?
A: Based on our research and testing, yes. For reliable performance, solid build quality, and crucial community software support, these two dominate. Many rivals we’ve tried cut corners on software maturity or fail to meet their performance claims.
Q: Do these come with pre-installed games?
A: Yes, on a cheap SD card. Back it up and bin it immediately. These cards typically fail. Buy a reputable SanDisk/Samsung card and build your own library. This is vital advice often not relayed to buyers.
Q: Is the Anbernic that much more powerful?
A: Yes absolutely – during testing it was powerful enough to play some Dreamcast/NDS titles. The Anbernic has the proven H700 chip; we found many rivals use weak, older or unbranded SoCs that simply can’t deliver stable performance for more demanding platforms.
2025 © TechReviewsUK.com
Anbernic RG35XX Plus
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is the best budget retro handheld of 2026. Featuring a powerful H700 quad-core processor, it handles PS1, NDS, and most Dreamcast games with ease. With HDMI output for TV play, Bluetooth connectivity, and a solid build quality, it outperforms the Miyoo Mini Plus while remaining under the £60 price point.
Product Brand: Anbernic
Product Currency: GBP
Product In Stock: InStock
4.5
Leave a Reply